Kibble Blending - How This Simple Trick Can Help You & Your Pet

Like most dog owners who grab the same brand and flavor of one particular dog food time after time, what most don't consider is how this WILL affect them and their pet at one time or another.   This is why  I have always incorporated a practice to my very own dogs and educate to my customers of what I call "kibble blending".

I came up with is logical practice for pet owners who use dry kibble as the primary base of their dog's diet because of two particularly important reasons.  First, not all dog foods are created equally and manufacturers don't source from the same protein, fruit and vegetable producers,  In addition, they are all formulated differently.  Therefore, a dog fed the same brand/formula over and over again can, overtime, become deficient in certain vitamins and minerals (yes, even when they say their food is "balanced"), or has a higher risk of developing a food allergy.  Moreover, as their body becomes so "structured" to one particular food, it can become a major issue when you decide or forced to change their food.   As an example, just think of a child eating DRY CEREAL for each meal.  The box says it's balanced and complete with all the essential vitamins and minerals needed.  However, would you consistently feed your child the same cereal for every meal, seven days a week for months to years and think that's all they need to be healthy?  Of course not!  They would become deficient  in something plus would have a hard time digesting a whole new food after eating the same thing for a long period of time.   Realistically, foods are constantly being rotated throughout the day during each meal and snack as each delivers different sources and levels of vitamins, minerals, proteins, etc. In addition, it also conditions the body to accept a majority of what is eaten without a upset stomach as well.  If humans and wild carnivores, like the dog's cousin, the wolf, eat a rotation of different foods, why do we then feed our pets the same food over and over again and expect them to be healthy?.

The second most important factor in kibble blending is the fact that most major brands, can at one point or another, go through a short but sometimes long pet food recall for one reason or another and stop production of a formula or as I've seen, the entire brand!   I see it time after time with many "non regular" customers scrambling to find some type of dog food that is equivalent to what their dog was previously on and then faced with the fact that they may endure a period of stomach issues while their pet "adjusts" to the new food.   This is why if kibble blending was incorporated into your dog's diet, such a problem would be non-existent to you and your dog, plus it helps optimize your pet's health in the long run.

How to Transition To Kibble Blending:

1.  Purchase a food bin; whether it's a counter top one or a larger floor based type.
2.  Fill the container with 3/4 of your dog's normal food and thoroughly blend 1/4 of a newer formula (different protein and from a different manufacturer).  NOTE:  Add a probiotic to your pet's food daily to help increase natural flora to the intestinal area to help digestion to newer proteins and foods.. We recommend Animal Essentials Plant Based Enzymes.  
3.  When your container is half gone, add only the newer kibble you previously added to fill to top and blend thoroughly again and serve..
4.  Repeat step #3
5.  When your container is almost empty, purchase a small bag of the newer food you previous introduced with another newer brand and protein.  Again, using 3/4 to 1/4 ratios while increasing the second newer brand while your container becomes empty and supplying your pet with a probiotic daily.
6.  Continue this practice with 2 or even 3 brands; consistently rotating brands and formulas.

Side Note:  Personally, I use 3 different brands and purchase only 5 lb bags to make up a 15 lb bag as I have small dogs.  Because my dog's bodies are conditioned to kibble blending & the rotation of different foods for many years, I thoroughly mix all 3 brands in a large container at once until well blended and serve at each meal along with incorporating canned or raw foods as a "food topper".  This not only helps them not to become "fussy" with their meals, but it never puts my dogs in the position of a "food shock" from a pet food recall.  Lastly, it delivers them a full range of natural moisture, wholesome proteins and a wider range of vitamins and minerals derived from veggies and fruits which ultimately puts their bodies in pristine condition. .